Apple says iPhone 4s sales over 1 mn in first day

Apple said Monday that pre-orders of the new model of its hit iPhone 4 topped one million units in the first 24 hours.

Worldwide advance orders for the iPhone 4S, said to be much faster than its predecessor and with improved video and photo capabilities, set a record for an Apple product, the company said.

“The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched,” said Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president, in a statement.

The smart phone, which will sell for between $199 and $399, depending on memory capacity, will be available in Apple stores in the United States from October 14.

It will be available in 22 other countries, including much of Europe, by the end of October.

The 4S was launched on October 4, one day before visionary Apple co-founder and longtime Steve Jobs died following a long battle with cancer. His health failing, Jobs had stepped down as chief executive in August and was replaced by Tim Cook, who presided over the launch of the new iPhone.